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Fairfield City Council

An idea was sparked this summer during, of all things, a budget meeting at Fairfield City Hall. It began with percentages and statistics (yawn) and ended with an anecdote about using a life-long dream of parachuting to stage a publicity stunt. Although it may have sounded silly at first, the presenter explained that the idea met all the state’s requirements for using hotel/motel funds, as it had the expectation of bringing tourists to town, while at the same time promoting the local hotel/motel industry. This story was followed by the statement that the state requires at least one-seventh of hotel/motel revenues collected by Texas cities to be spent on advertising and promotion – a requirement backed by research that shows, for every

After a lengthy executive session, Fairfield city council added an agenda item to be discussed in private Tuesday, Aug. 21.

The council entered into executive session for an hour and 46 minutes during which the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) discussed matters pertaining to a pending property purchase and the hiring of a police officer.

One agenda item – a request from TABC for the City of Fairfield – slated to originally be discussed during open session was also talked behind closed doors. This item was later added and assigned code 551.076, which pertains to the discussion of security measures.

After many problems with the current air conditioning unit, the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department will finally feel some cool air in the station. During a short meeting Wednesday, Aug. 1, Fairfield council members officially approved a bid from Wortham A/C for $4,695 to replace the air conditioning unit for the FVFD Fire Station. “Last Saturday the unit went out completely,” FVFD Fire Chief Mike Foree said. “We had a fire and came back to a station house with no air conditioning.”

Fairfield Mayor Kenny Hughes, right, administers the oath of office to newly appointed City Council member Jason Bosley Tuesday, July 24, during the regular meeting of the Fairfield City Council.
Photo by Shelly Pope

Fairfield resident Jason Bosley was appointed to the empty seat at the table Tuesday, July 24, by the Fairfield City Council. The council met Tuesday evening in a regular scheduled meeting to take nominations and hear about three bids to replace air conditioning in the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department. Interested citizens for the position on the council were Gary Toothman, Sissy Ivy, and Bosley. Each individual had an opportunity to introduce themselves and answer questions from the council. Toothman, retiree and former council alderman said, “I would like to help make Fairfield the best it can be. We are the county seat and we need to take advantage of that.” He continued with the fact that he has served on the council before and knows just how much work it can be. Ivy introduced herself as a resident rooted in the community. “I love Fairfield and the people,” she said.

Former mayor Roy Hill (right) is pictured swearing in new Mayor Kenny Hughes last Tuesday night at the city council meeting.
Courtesy photo

Mayor Kenny Hughes, Councilman Place 1 James Tyus, and Councilman Place 2 Randy Johnson were sworn in Tuesday night at the city council meeting by former mayor Roy Hill. The council also canvassed the votes from the city election.

Three men recently attended an aviation conference in Galveston to learn more about what it takes to secure an airport grant. City Administrator Jeff Looney and City Councilmen Place 1 Joe Lee Kirgan and Place 4 Landis Bayless spent three days at the 36th Annual Texas Aviation Conference, hosted by TxDOT and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

The Fairfield Recorder submitted the following questions to Looney who, after clearing it with the city council, returned these answers:

Place 2 Councilman Randy Johnson gave Mayor Roy Hill an emotional hug after Hill announced his decision to not run for Fairfield mayor again. Hill has served the community as mayor since 2004. Running for his seat is Place 5 Councilman Kenny Hughes and Luke Ward, Jr. Election day for city elections is May 5.
Photo by April Walker

Fairfield Mayor Roy Hill tearfully announced his decision last week to not seek another term in office before leaving the meeting and turning things over to Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Lee Kirgan. Hill has served Fairfield for 14 years, first as the youngest mayor pro-tem in Fairfield before being elected mayor.

“I saw my temporary job as your mayor as the 'infrastructure' mayor,” he said. “Most of our original goals have been completed.”